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Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir in Books
Feb 5, 2018
A human experience in the BLM movement
There has recently been an upswing of works relating to racism in the US, so it was only a matter of time that one of the founders of the Black Lives Matter movement spoke about this issue.
Patrisse Khan-Cullors is eloquent, and her experiences are truly harrowing. From watching her 12 year old brother being assaulted and harrassed by police officers, growing up in poverty, to being an adult and watching another brother being locked up for being mentally disabled. It is really quite horrifying to see the spectrum of violence that black bodies still endure even post-Jim Crow laws. Cullors will argue that this is but an extension of those days.
It is a timely piece, and one of the better writings on the topic, mixing activism and academia with her own memoir.
Patrisse Khan-Cullors is eloquent, and her experiences are truly harrowing. From watching her 12 year old brother being assaulted and harrassed by police officers, growing up in poverty, to being an adult and watching another brother being locked up for being mentally disabled. It is really quite horrifying to see the spectrum of violence that black bodies still endure even post-Jim Crow laws. Cullors will argue that this is but an extension of those days.
It is a timely piece, and one of the better writings on the topic, mixing activism and academia with her own memoir.

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 KP) rated Commander Toad and the Space Pirates (Commander Toad) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
It’s been a long space voyage, so long that the crew of the Space Warts is bored. Unfortunately, trouble finds them in the form of Commander Salamander, the notorious space pirate who is Commander Toad’s arch nemesis. He quickly boards the ship and plans to force the crew to play his favorite game, Hop the Plank. Can they get out of this situation?
I remember liking this one as a kid, but as an adult, it just doesn’t hold up well. The puns, a favorite of mine, aren’t on full display here. The twist at the end is just a bit too abrupt for me. I’m sure kids who are fans of these books will still enjoy it, however.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/07/book-review-commander-toad-and-space.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I remember liking this one as a kid, but as an adult, it just doesn’t hold up well. The puns, a favorite of mine, aren’t on full display here. The twist at the end is just a bit too abrupt for me. I’m sure kids who are fans of these books will still enjoy it, however.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/07/book-review-commander-toad-and-space.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.

Kristie (106 KP) rated The Brilliant Death in Books
Sep 18, 2018 (Updated Sep 18, 2018)
Great storyline
The Brilliant Death by Amy Rose Capetta is a great young adult fantasy novel with a unique storyline. The designs inside the book and the cover art are absolutely gorgeous and I can't wait to see what the final version of this book will look like. I really enjoyed the characters and how they develop as the story goes on, and the rich setting of this world. I really enjoyed learning about the strega and their history alongside Teodora as she learns about her self and how she came to have her unique magic. I loved how Teo and Cielo's love develops and unfolds through the story and I can't wait to see what is next for them. The story had an amazing ending that already has me anticipating book two in this epic new fantasy series.

Andy K (10823 KP) rated Suspiria (1977) in Movies
Oct 19, 2018
The colors, the colors, the colors....
I had heard about this film most of my adult life, but had never seen until tonight.
Boy, was it worth the wait.
I would say after watching, the film is difficult to describe and must be "experienced". The plot, dialogue and acting are all secondary to the wondrous use of color, the beautiful musical score and set decoration of this visual art.
The score especially is mesmerizing and I indeed rewound a few scenes so I could hear the transfixing melody again and again.
The stylized horror has some gruesome moments, but overall fits the unraveling story well as we discover the world of the haunting ballet studio when a young American girl arrives to begin her instruction.
Any true film fan has to see this!
Boy, was it worth the wait.
I would say after watching, the film is difficult to describe and must be "experienced". The plot, dialogue and acting are all secondary to the wondrous use of color, the beautiful musical score and set decoration of this visual art.
The score especially is mesmerizing and I indeed rewound a few scenes so I could hear the transfixing melody again and again.
The stylized horror has some gruesome moments, but overall fits the unraveling story well as we discover the world of the haunting ballet studio when a young American girl arrives to begin her instruction.
Any true film fan has to see this!

Milleen (47 KP) rated How to Stop Time in Books
Nov 14, 2018
Matt Haig has written a variety of books for children and adults as well as a memoir that topped the bestseller list for almost a year. Now he has delved back into adult fiction and delivered a delightful novel that will leave you pondering. Tom Hazard may look like an ordinary 41-year-old, but owing to a rare condition, he's been aging slowly over centuries. From Elizabethan England to 1920s Paris and further afield, Tom is forced to change his identity to stay alive. He is forced to abide by one rule, to not fall in love. Tom finally gets the ‘ordinary’ life he craves and finds work as a history teacher in a modern London comprehensive but how much longer can he keep this secret? ‘How to Stop Time’ is a bittersweet story about life, loss and change.

BookwormLea (3034 KP) rated Toy Story (1995) in Movies
Jul 2, 2019
Top 5 Pixar films on my list...
This movie changed my childhood... literally! The toys and stuffed bears I had on my bed became friends I had to talk to and kiss goodnight incase they 'woke up' and killed me or something in my sleep. Even now I find myself wondering if I knocked it or if that Winnie Pooh bear was about to reach out for me.
Back onto the topic of the movie though. Its amazing! Such a strange concept and one only Disney could be capable of telling in such an amazingly childish way (I'm looking at you chucky...). I've seen it so many times and each time I spot something I missed the last, it just gets better! Such a timeless film and one every child, or even adult, needs to see!
Back onto the topic of the movie though. Its amazing! Such a strange concept and one only Disney could be capable of telling in such an amazingly childish way (I'm looking at you chucky...). I've seen it so many times and each time I spot something I missed the last, it just gets better! Such a timeless film and one every child, or even adult, needs to see!

Jeremy King (346 KP) rated Sausage Party (2016) in Movies
Jul 5, 2019
I knew a bit about this movie going in to it but what i knew was the tip of the iceberg. I thought this was just going to be an animated adventure with food and sex. There is more to this movie than that. The movie talks about a big day. WHITE RED AND BLUE DAY so from that July the 4th. So from that you can gather it takes place in the USA. Different cultures are represented by food or products. Without giving any spoilers here is what my take on it is. In a land of many cultures, religions and more we all have to unit and work as one to protect our freedoms. If we dont work together there is no hope. Saying that there is sex in this animation. It is ment for ADULT

They Let Me Write a Book!: Jamie's World
Book
"Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Jamie, I'm 19-years-old. I make videos on the Internet, and...

City Kid
Book
From the author of international bestsellers A Circle of Children and Lovey comes an inspiring true...

Ladybirds
Helen E. Roy, Peter M. J. Brown, Richard F. Comont and Remy Poland
Book
This revised and updated edition of Ladybirds provides a succinct but comprehensive and accessible...